Dress-shield.



N. H. CROGKER.

DRESS SHIELD.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 24, 191".

Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

ammo n r a k w r m J .6 I W 6 (M M w Witmzoow NELLIE H. CROCKER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

DRESS-SHIELD.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

Application filed September 24, 1912. Serial No. 722,025.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Nnnmc I-I. CROUKER, a citizen of the United States, residing in Washington city, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dress-Shields, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to dress shields of the kind used in the arm pits to prevent perspiration from so nioistening adjacent exposed portions of the outer garments as to render them unseemly. In the use of these shields as at present supplied to the market, while the moistening of the outer garment is prevented when the shields are in proper position and maintain their proper shape it often happens that they become wrinkled and distorted, often do-ubling up and growing not only uncomfortable but also ineffective as the arm pits are thus exposed and perspiration moistens adjacent portions of the outer garments. Various ways of avoiding these difficulties have heretofore been proposed, but so far as I am aware none have been commercially adopted owing no doubt either to their inefficiency or their complexity.

According to my invention I accomplish the desired result by a most simple device which may be readily embodied in or applied to the standard design of dress shields or to dress shields of any approved construction.

In carrying out my invention I apply to one of the folds of the shield a narrow, annular piece of wire or other similar material which is preferably flexible so that the shield may be made to conform to the person of the wearer but which so holds the shield that it is prevented from rolling, wrinkling or otherwise becoming distorted. The device is arranged in the middle portion of the shield so as to leave a margin around it in order that the edges of the shield may be soft and flexible while the main body of the shield is relatively stiff and the stiffening device is hidden.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure l is a perspective view of a dress shield with my improvements applied. Fig. 2 is a view of one form of stiffening device which may be used. Fig. 3 is an elevation of a dress shield showing the stiffening device made inthe form of an oval, Fig. 4 shows an elevation of a dress shield with a modified form of stiffening device applied in a modified way.

The shield shown is of standard shape, comprising the inner and outer folds A and B. To the inner fold A, z. 0., the one next the body of the wearer, my device is applied. It consists of an annular piece of wire C, attached in any suitable way to the fold A. This may be done by laying the device on the shield, covering it with tape D, and sewing the tape in place in the manner shown; or it may be attached to the shield in any other suitable way. It is essential that the stiffening device should be so applied as to leave a marginal portion a around it which is soft and flexible and thus comfortable, and furthermore in such manner as to conceal the stiffener when the shield is in use.

The wire is of small gage and in no appreciable way promotes perspiration and yet it possesses sufficient rigidity to hold the shield in its distended flat condition. The wire is preferably flexible and not elastic or resilient so that when bent to conform to the person it will retain such shape. I would say, however, that so far as part of my invention is concerned other material than wire, such as celluloid may be used, but I have obtained the best results with soft flexible braided wire, commonly known as picture wire.

It will be understood that where I mention an annular strip of material I mean a continuous piece which may be oval, oblong or approximately circular. In this way no sharp edges or ends are presented.

In Fig. 1 the stiffening device is shown as circular in form, while in Fig. 3 it is of oval or oblong shape. I may form pockets E on the shield and employ a stiffening device made of celluloid or similar material which may be first bent and then have its ends inserted in the pockets. A stiffening device made of wire or other material may be in like manner attached to the shield.

In Fig. 2 I have shown how a continuous annular piece of wire may be formed for use as a stiffener. This may, if preferred, be made of non-rustable material of any suitable kind. The inner and outer folds A, B of the shield are made of any suitable fabric which is flexible and not unduly heating. The stiffener is somewhat less flexible than the portion of the shield which it surrounds and the marginal portion of the shield surrounding it, but the stiffener occupies only a relatively small portion of the area of the shield and does not add Inaterially to its Weight nor tend appreciably to render the shield heating.

I claim as my invention:

1. A flexible dress shield provided With a stiffener consisting of a continuous narrow piece of flexible stiffening material having joined ends and secured to the body of the shield and completely inclosing a portion of the shield which is of greater flexibility than the stiffener, said shield having a soft flexible marginal portion surrounding the stiffener.

2. A flexible dress shield provided With a stiffener consisting of a continuous narrow piece of flexible braided Wire having joined ends and secured to the body of the shield completely inclosing a portion of the shield and having a soft flexible marginal pprtion of the shield surrounding it.

In testimony whereof, I

subscribed my name.

NELLIE H. OROCKER.

have hereunto lVitnesses LLOYD-B. WIGHT, FRANCIS S. MAGUIRE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

